The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-08-09
The NORTH BENCH QUESTION.

The question of water for the north
bench has passed beyond the point OF
discussing whether or not water should
be provided for that quarter of the city.
Nor are we clear that it is worth while
TO longer talk about vested rights"
with which the people up there have
been invariably met when they have
appealed for a portion of the water
flowing into the city. The time has
come when we must look at the matter
in the light of existing things, and not
as those things should be or. as 1t was
intended they should be. 1t is I'M
doubtedly true that the lots in that
quarter were sold by the city without
water rights, whatever the presenRoc-
cupants may say to the contrary. The
city had no water to give with the land,
and it conveyed none. as this writer is
aware from having heard the same
story told to applicants for lots scores
upon scores of times. that NO water right
went with the land. The man who
purchased his lot from the city corpor-
alton was L Ut deceived into the belief
that water would go with the land.
This much we know. But We also know
that the city corporation surveyed and
plated and sold the lots; that citizens
purchased them and have built houses
upon them; that large population is
actually living far above what was the
upper water line when those lots were
sold at the nominal price of S. each. |
The people are there, and they are part |
of the inhabitants OF Salt Lake City |
corporation, subject to its laws and |
ordinances, contributing to Its strength !
and wealth, and bearing their proper
tionate share of the cost of government.
The north bench inhabited is an exist |
ing fact which cannot be obliterated |
and to which the rest of the city'cannot |
blind its eyes. Being part and parcel
of the city, the needs and requirements |
of these people must be looked after,
and so far as may be in reason sup |
Piled. We do not mean by
this that other quarters must
be neglected and deprived to
make the north benchers happy and
keep them quiet; but we do mean that
if it be possible in reason, to furnish
water for that district it is the legal, the
moral and the fraternal duty of the city
to do it. It should be done in the in
terest of the municipality in general, as
well as an act of humanity towards
sadly distressed community. The City
cannot ask the people up there to de-
molish their houses, and with their few
valuables go away in search of new
abiding places; nor can the corporation
buy the land and Improvements, and
removing the people, thus make it IN
necessary to water the dry bench.
Regardless of the conditions under
which the bench was settled, we must
consider matters as they are to-day.
We must recognize the fact that the
people are there, and there to stay, and
realizing this, must set about it to sup
ply them with water. Let US stop dis
cussing the question of whether or not
water should be provided, but go
about it and devise the best plan
for obtaining supply of
the necessary fluid, for that
section of the corporation. 1t will be
statesman!ike as we'll as wise and
humane to do this.
Meantime, it is suggested to the
people up that way that it would be no
worse for them if they were to control
their tempers and discontinue their
1abid tax and wild, senseless threats.
TAey should understand that they are
powerless TO help themselves. What
ever relief they obtain must come from
the fair and concerted action of the
people of Salt Lake acting in the ,
Of municipal corporation.
To threaten or to bring lawsuits will
not hasten matters, though they may
delay things.